The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Ronaldo returns to Man Utd amid transfer saga

    Ronaldo returns to Man Utd amid transfer saga

    Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the fold at Manchester United amid ongoing questions about how long he will be sticking around and whether a transfer could be put in place before the next deadline passes.

    The Portuguese superstar was left out of Erik ten Hag’s tour party for friendly dates in Asia and Australia, with an extended summer break granted to him due to family issues.

    Speculation has continued to rage in his absence as to whether ties with the Red Devils could be severed for a second time, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner eager to compete on a Champions League stage and fight for major silverware in 2022-23 at 37 years of age.

    Ronaldo is due to hold talks with United regarding his future after returning to the club’s training ground on Tuesday.

    He arrived at Carrington alongside agent Jorge Mendes, with discussions set to be held regarding the direction in which all parties wish to head.

    Legendary former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson – who first signed Ronaldo back in 2003 – also appears set to form part of those meetings having arrived at the Red Devils’ training base at the same time as an all-time great.

    Read Also:Ten Hag targets more transfers amid Ronaldo uncertainty

    Ronaldo, who agreed a two-year contract when returning to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, flew back to England on Monday having previously informed United of his desire to move on if a suitable offer arrived.

    United have maintained throughout a distracting saga that they have no intention of parting with a man that registered 24 goals for them in a testing 2021-22 campaign for all concerned.

    New boss Erik ten Hag has said of the rumours raging around Ronaldo: “I am well informed, he also has also an option (of another year).

    “Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead.

    “I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time but in the end we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.” Goal

  • Ban would lead to more terror attacks – Miners

    Ban would lead to more terror attacks – Miners

    Miners in Niger State have faulted the ban on mining activities and motorcycles by the Federal Government, warning it could lead to more terror attacks.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Miners Association Niger chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Mambo, said the ban would create an avenue for the recruitment of youths into banditry, terrorism and other social vices.

    According to him, the country is already tense, stating the government does not need to make the situation worse than it is.

    Speaking to newsmen in Minna, Mambo said the ban will create unemployment among youths and women engaged in the mining industry across the country.

    Read Also:Sanwo-Olu declares work-free days for PVCs registration

    He explained that thousands of people are benefiting from the mining sector and any attempt to ban mining and motorcycle would be counterproductive.

    The chairman stated instead of banning mining and motorcycles, the government should intensify its support to the security agencies to bring an end to the insecurity across the country.

    He added it was surprising President Muhammadu Buhari, who called for diversification of the economy to mining resources, is advocating ban on mining activities in the country.

    The representative of Women in Mining, Khadijat Alimashawun, said that there are registered and licenced miners, assuring they leave no room for any security breach.

  • Sanwo-Olu declares work-free days for PVCs registration

    Sanwo-Olu declares work-free days for PVCs registration

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared four work-free days for public workers to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) ahead of the deadline on July 30.

    Starting from Tuesday, public workers from different grades have been scheduled on the expected day to be off from work for the exercise.

    Lagos Head of Service Hakeem Muri-Okunola, in a statement, encouraged workers to be involved in the electoral process.

    He informed public workers on Grade Levels 01, 03, 07 and 15 are excluded from work on Tuesday; Wednesday for GL 02, 04, 08 and 13; Thursday for GL 05, 09, 12 and 17 while Friday is GL 06, 10, 14 and 16.

    The statement reads: “It is the civic responsibility of every citizen to participate in the electoral process of her country. Therefore, all public servants are encouraged to partake in the upcoming year 2023 general elections.

    Read Also:NAPTIP raises the alarm over rise in fake foreign scholarships Inbox

    “Consequently, it is notified for general information that all public servants who are yet to register for or collect their Permanent Voter Cards from designated Independent National Electoral Commission centres are advised to do so before the deadline date of July 30, 2022.

    “To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free for public servants to enable them to process/collect their PVCs from their respective Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas. “Officers are expected to return back to work with their voter cards after this exercise.

    “Accordingly, accounting officers are hereby enjoined to excuse their officers in the respective grade levels on the designated dates.”

  • NAPTIP raises the alarm over rise in fake foreign scholarships

    NAPTIP raises the alarm over rise in fake foreign scholarships

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised the alarm over growing cases of fake foreign scholarship advertorials.

    NAPTIP said an increasing number of persons are being trafficked to foreign countries under the guise of schooling in foreign universities only to be forced into prostitution.

    Director General (DG) NAPTIP Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi said a lot of Nigerians are being trafficked to countries like North Cyprus, using fake university scholarships.

    She said this on Monday in Abuja at the kick-off off activities marking the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

    Waziri-Azi said a lot of traffickers are moving away from making victims take oaths to threaten them with nude videos and explicit images online.

    She said: “There is an increase in online trafficking. For instance, last month I interacted with a human rights organisation located in North Cyprus which is a country that is only recognised by Turkey and not other EU countries.

    “The organisation shared with me that North Cyprus is a country of about 300,000 people and out of the number about 45,000 are Africans living there and out of the 45,000, 25,000 are Nigerians and most of the young people amongst them are trafficked to North Cyprus for fake jobs and fake scholarships, Between September and last year when I had interactions with them, they had rescued seven Nigerian girls, all of them trafficked online, they all clicked on an advertorial that was posted on Instagram for scholarships, they applied for the admissions online, it was facilitated by the traffickers at the other end, they paid for enrollment fees online.

    Read Also:Cholera can kill within hours – NCDC

    “They were sent some enrollment admission letters which they took to the embassy and they were given something they will get Visa on arrival in Turkey and that was the same trend for the seven girls that were rescued. They get to North Cyprus, their traffickers are there to welcome them and there is no scholarship or school to attend and we’re all pushed into false prostitution.

    “At NAPTIP, we have seen an increase in fake job advertorials and fake scholarships via social media as Traffickers use it to recruit and catfish unsuspecting victims. Traffickers also use technology to control their victims. For instance, besides oath taking, they make nude videos of their victims and threaten to share the explicit images online.

    “While technology is frequently misused to facilitate trafficking in persons, its positive use helps in combat trafficking and support anti-trafficking work, such as aiding investigations that in turn enhance prosecutions, scaling awareness campaigns, development of technology-based tools that support victims and survivors and enhancing international cooperation.”

    Acting Chief of Mission IOM, Prestage Murima said since 2017, IOM Nigeria has coordinated the return of over 27,000 Nigerian migrants from 82 countries.

  • #BBNaija: Sheggz justifies peeping at Chichi during bath

    #BBNaija: Sheggz justifies peeping at Chichi during bath

    BBNaija Season 7 housemate Segun Daniel Olusemo aka Sheggz has defended peeping at his colleague, Chichi while she had her bath.

    Chichi, a chef by day and an exotic dancer by night, confronted the 26-year-old England-based footballer for peeping at her while bathing.

    Seemingly perturbed about Sheggz’s invasion of her privacy, Chichi tackled him over the act.

    Read Also:#BBNaija S7: I’m sexual attracted to Chichi – Hermes

    She said: “I don’t know what your intentions are. You peeped at me while I was having my bath earlier today.”

    Responding, Sheggz quite surprisingly didn’t refute the allegation rather he made attempt to justify the act.

    “Babe, I looked at you. I am not even capping. Am I gay?” The actor retorted.

  • Cholera can kill within hours – NCDC

    Cholera can kill within hours – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned that cholera, an acute diarrhea disease, can kill within hours.

    It advised that foods be prepared properly to prevent the spread of the disease.

    It gave the warning in a post on its social media handle on Tuesday.

    Cholera, which is endemic in Nigeria, has killed no fewer than 3,604 people in 2021.

    The country’s infectious disease agency report in January spanning December 27 till January 2, indicated that Nigeria in 2021 experienced one of the worst cholera outbreaks in many years.

    Read Also:Strike: ASUU’s demands unrealistic-Ezekwesili

    According to the report, which ended the epidemiological cycle for 2021, Nigeria recorded 111,662 suspected cases of Cholera.

    The figure of fatalities from the diarrheal disease in the year is more than the 3,103 deaths recorded from the coronavirus pandemic since its outbreak in Nigeria in February, 2020.

    In a fresh message on its Twitter page, NCDC said: “With an incubation period of at least 2 hours, #Cholera can kill within hours if untreated.

    “It is easily transmitted in areas with poor sanitation hygiene practices and lack of clean water. Reporting suspected cases early increases the chances of survival.”

  • #BBNaija S7: I’m sexual attracted to Chichi – Hermes

    #BBNaija S7: I’m sexual attracted to Chichi – Hermes

    Big Brother Naija housemate, Chibueze ‘Hermes’ Iyele has confessed he is sexually attracted to Chichi.

    The dancer made this disclosure while chatting with a female roommate on Monday night.
    According to Hermes, if Chichi agrees to be his girlfriend, they will end up having sex in every corner of the Biggie’s house.

    “I be Ashawo and with the vibe wey I dey get with Chichi – based on the kind person she be too – if two of us align for this house. Omo we go f**k anyhow for this house,” he said in Pigin

    Read Also: BBNaija S7: Eloswag is first HoH

    Hermes further stated he has a pure love for another housemate, Allison claiming their relationship will last if she choses to be with him.

    In an earlier interview with the show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Hermes revealed that he is in a polymous relationship with two women.

    He feels that this kind of partnership has left enough room for everyone to grow individually and collectively.

  • Fed govt shuts scorpion oil services

    Fed govt shuts scorpion oil services

    The Federal Government has shut down the diving operations of Scorpion Oil Services onboard MV African Installer offshore Lagos for operating without the requisite approvals and violating the provisions of the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018.

    The decision to close operations of the company followed a monitoring exercise conducted by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, led by the Director of Factories of the Federation, who is also the Director, Occupational Safety and Health department of the Ministry, Lauretta Adogu and the Chief Inspector of Diving, Julius Ugwala.

    In a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, Adogu stated that the monitoring exercise was aimed at ensuring full compliance with Nigeria’s Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018.

    She said the diving operations being carried out by the contractor, Scorpion Oil Services, posed huge threats to the divers, as an on-the-spot assessment also revealed that the company was using inappropriate equipment and unqualified personnel.

    Read Also:Northern APC Speakers back Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate

    Adogu said that Scorpion Oil Services also disregarded the Local Content law, with the operations wholly dominated by foreigners.

    She said: “The operators did not comply with the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018. The Regulations stipulate that before any diving operation commences within the Nigerian territorial waters, there must be an authorization approval issued by the Director of Factories of the Federation.

    “Additionally, the Local Content law says Nigerians should be considered first for such operations, but the operators did not meet that requirement, as the place was filled with expatriates.

    “Diving operations must get authorization approval before commencement, and this company has not requested any approval and does not have one.

    “The company is being closed for non-compliance to these, and work here has been prohibited.”

  • 2023: I’m searching for platform, says Abe

    2023: I’m searching for platform, says Abe

    Former representative of Rivers South-East at the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has said he is searching for a political platform to actualise his governorship ambition in 2023.

    Abe, who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) but declared support for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, said the Rivers APC lacks the capacity to deliver electoral expectations of its members.

    He said: “But, rather than stay and continue to waste the time of Rivers people with APC that has not shown any capacity in Rivers State to be able to overcome any challenges and deliver on the electoral expectations of its members;

    “I have decided to go and do what a politician should do, which is to look for a platform that will give me the privilege and the opportunity to fly their flag and present myself, my ideas and our commitment to the people of Rivers State, that’s where we are.

    “The future of our state is important to all of us. 2023 elections present us with a unique opportunity to come together as Rivers people and forge a future that guarantees hope, prosperity, opportunity for us and our children and that’s what I’m coming to do”.

    Abe in a statement on Monday by his Media aide, Parry Benson, said Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, could not impose a governor on the people.

    He said: “If the President of Nigeria, who is more powerful than the governor cannot decide who will be the next President to succeed him, then the governor of Rivers State will not decide who will succeed him.

    Read Also:Northern APC Speakers back Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate

    “That issue will be decided by the people of Rivers State. And let me also quote the governor himself; he has said on different occasions that he will allow the people of Rivers State to decide his successor and I know him as a man of his word.

    “I believe that he will do everything possible to create an atmosphere in which those who are interested in succeeding him regardless of their political party will have a fair chance to contest”.

    The senator stated that he has very bright chances of winning the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State, considering the fact that he has never lost in any election in the state before.

    He said: “What chances do I have in the state? Very bright chances. I always win elections. I don’t lose elections in Rivers State. The contest is always tense because the contest of power is always tense but somebody must win.

    “The important thing is that we should allow the people of Rivers State to decide. I am ready to abide by whatever the people of Rivers State will decide. I am ready to submit myself. I don’t even want to lead a people who don’t want me to lead them, because the kind of dreams and visions that I have for my state is such that I need the people to work with me for us to be able to achieve anything.

    “So if they don’t choose me and I impose myself on them, I know that the plans we are making will not work because I need their support and I need them to work with me. I don’t want to be a leader who is going to where the people are not going. So I don’t even want to be the governor without the endorsement and strong support of Rivers people.

    “So, I am presenting myself to them; I will tell them the plans we have. I will tell them what I think we can do with the state. I will tell them where I think we can be going to and if they are interested in coming with me, then we will go. If they are not interested, it’s not a problem”.

    END.

  • #BBNaija – Ebuka speaks on Groovy’s alleged bad breath

    #BBNaija – Ebuka speaks on Groovy’s alleged bad breath

    BBNaija host Ebuka has reacted to social media’s speculation on Groovy having bad breath.

    Henry Olisaemeka Orakwue aka Groovy, first BBNaija “Level Up” housemate, was alleged to have bad breath following a clip from his stage appearance.

    In a viral video, the season 7 housemate after having been called on stage could be seen talking with his mouth really close to Ebuka who was holding the microphone while he kept covering his nose until he pulled his face away.

    Read Also:BBNaija S7: It’s too early to kiss you, Groovy tells Beauty

    Many insinuated the media personality reacted that way because of Groovy’s alleged mouth odour.

    Stumbling on  social media’s speculation, Uchendu said there was nothing like that.
    According to him: “And na nose I bin just dey scratch o! Make una allow Groovy rest abeg.”